Apple phasing out of the Lightning connectors, listed as “out of stock” in the US online stores and several other countries.
Apple is phasing out from Lightning to a 3.5 mm Headphone Jack adapter and transitioning to the USB-C headphone adapter. During the recent week of Mac announcements and feature updates, Apple transitioned all its products to USB-C. However, many Apple products still have the proprietary connector, and it’s hard to say how long the lightning products will remain.
Apple’s transition from lightning devices to USB-C has not been smooth. Apple’s online store in the U.S. and several other countries has already listed the lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter as “sold out.” Some countries still have the headphone adapter available in online stores, which will not be replenished once it runs out of stock.
Image – USB-C Adapter
The Fall of the Lightning to 3.5 mm Adapter – End of an Era
In 2012, the first Lightning connector was revealed alongside the iPhone 5, replacing the former proprietary charger, the bulky and prone-to-failure 30-pin connector. Lightning was much smaller allowing more space for other components inside the smartphone. For the first time, the charger was reversible, it would fit both ways.
All the Lightning connectors had small Apple chips, to regulate the voltage, which was done to improve safety. The company has also made money by charging third-party accessory makers to use the Lightning port through its “Made for iPhone” program. It’s clear why they would want to keep the Lightning standard around for as long as they can.
Introducing the iPhone USB-C Adapter
In 2018, Apple moved to a USB-C adapter, revealing it with iPad Pro for the first time. The release was followed by iPad Air in 2020 and iPad Mini in 2021. Later on, Apple moved their iPhones to the USB-C port not sure if the company was planning it or it was because of the European Union stepping in and passing a law in 2022 that states, phones, cameras, and tablets sold in the region must necessarily have a USB-C port. Apple agreed to follow the rule, but complained that such strict regulations “stifle innovation.”
In September, Apple moved the Airpod family to the USB-C. Last month, the company transitioned all the Mac devices and accessories to the USB-C adapter including magic trackpad, magic keyboard, and magic mouse.
Although the end of the Lightning era is inevitable, how smoothly this transition unfolds for consumers and accessory makers remains to be seen. One thing is clear, Apple’s embrace of USB-C represents a step toward unifying charging and accessory standards, paving the way for a more streamlined future across its entire product lineup.
